Shloka 19
श्रोत्रभुवाच नेमे बाणास्तरिष्यन्ति मामलर्क कथंचन । तवैव मर्म भेत्स्यन्ति ततो हास्यसि जीवितम्
śrotrabhūvāca neme bāṇāstariṣyanti mām alarka kathaṃcana | tavaiva marma bhetsyanti tato hāsyasi jīvitam ||
Śrotrabhū mengisytiharkan: “Alarka, anak panah ini tidak akan dapat menembusi aku walau bagaimana pun. Ia hanya akan menikam titik-titik hayatmu sendiri; lalu engkau akan kehilangan nyawa.”
अलर्क उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores accountability in conflict: a warrior’s intent is not abstract—actions aimed at another’s vulnerable points carry irreversible consequences. It highlights the ethical gravity of choosing lethal force.
Śrotrabhū addresses Alarka directly, asserting that Alarka’s arrows will not get past him; instead, Śrotrabhū will strike Alarka’s vital points, resulting in Alarka’s death. It is a moment of direct martial challenge and intimidation.